PreggE' series 1… On finding the PURRFECT antenatal hospital

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally… Lol

Been a long time coming but frankly, I think I’m starting at the right time with the right story.
Was gonna kick the series off with a story on finding out I was preggers but let’s save that for later…

Ok this ‘PreggE’ series’ will be as open as possible. Not just cos I want to show off or whatever, NO. Tz cos I want to be a top faith proponent via my blog of how beautiful this journey can be if we turn off worldly opinion and turn on the WORD. Tz my prayer that we learn as much as possible, especially those who are yet to start this journey.

So, I’ll be sharing stories and stories and more stories. Feel free to ask questions. I’ll answer as much as I can. And if you have your own faith stories, I’ll be happy to feature it here if I like and you don’t mind. You can also share in the comments.
I’ll also encourage you to read this story Dr. N shared on her blog. I LOVED it. http://drnsmusings.wordpress.com/2014/08/24/supernatural-childbirth/

Soooooooooooooo let’s jump right in.

Now, I always wanted to have my Booking in appointment, (my first antenatal) at 10weeks. So when I arrived The ‘Buj to resume work finally in July, I started looking for a hospital. Of course, I had expectations of how I wanted the entire 40weeks of pregnancy to be and I wanted a hospital that would not gimme wahala. I also had my confessions. I had heard stories of wicked nurses and midwives lol esp in government hospitals so I already had a Confession that covered that (David was a super loved leader so it came from one of his stories 1Sam 18:5) and for sure, I would not register with any hospital that my spirit didn’t agree with the personnel (Doctors, midwives, nurses, etc). Of course a Christian doctor was preferred and one I’ll have access to freely esp over the phone for quick questions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also wanted a private hospital not government. My mom wanted government sha especially cos of experience and stuff but hey, my choice. Plus hubs was ok with my decision. And thankfully, National hospitals were cucu on strike so they were struck out.
Then I wanted a hospital where I would see a pregnant woman or mom who I could talk to and she’ll be very excited about her doctor. That for me was a major sign.
I didn’t really consider cost cos I just thought whatever, we could shoulder it by God’s grace.
And finally, male or female doctor was fine but an older male OnG was preferred.

Ok then I hit the streets.

Went to CA** first. A family member introduced me.
Hmmm. First off, the Front desk kept me standing while she spent a long time on the phone. When she was finally done with her call, she said for the antenatal, I’ll have to pay per consultation and then I’ll also pay separately for tests, scans, drugs, etc. The whole arrangement looked clumsy and even she seemed uninformed. All she knew was the cost. So I asked to see a Gyne to get more info about the package so I’ll know the possible cost implication cumulatively and she said I couldn’t until I paid. Moreover, no OnG was on ground to see me. Then I saw a new mom who had just had a CS. Asked her about the experience of antenatal and she had a lukewarm answer tho she was excited about her baby girl, but the hospital didn’t get much love. My SIL had her baby there too and she said CA*** was ok. Anyways, I put CA*** somewhere and hit the streets again.

I found CD*** online. I loved it. Pictures, personnel, etc all online and the website was alive and very loaded. The antenatal package was in dollars but hey, we could afford it. The effizy and packaging was on point. I sent an email and they responded quickly with the Head OnG’s number to call for an appointment. I called my brother for days on end. No response. I sent a text or two. No response. Ah, bad sign abeg. Plus it was far so I didn’t wanna risk going there from work and then I can’t see the doctor. Plus shouldn’t a doctor’s number if unavailable link to another’s who can help? I even dropped a voicemail. No show. I kept calling though and after a few weeks, I gave up on CD*** I didn’t want an incommunicado hospital especially as this was the HEAD OnG I was calling. Ah!!!

Someone mentioned CPN*** but before I could try it, someone who uses it said although they were good, they were discriminatory. If you looked like you were balling in cheddar (senator,minister,politician sha,etc), they treat you well. But the common man got lil to no love. Pfft!!! Abuja and their fake lives. I didn’t even bother with such a hospital. I dumped CPN*** fast

Now CZ was a good one and though I thought the package was pricey, I was leaning towards it. The front desk also said I couldn’t see a doctor till I registered even though I told her all I needed was more info as she couldn’t give me. She no gree. Went a second time and met a mom who had her kids there. She said she didn’t have the doc’s number cos they don’t share it and I knew she wasn’t lying. And she also gave a less than enthusiastic response on her love for the hospital. It was surprising that an OnG doctor would not share his number with his pregnant patients. Ah!!! Bad sign ooo. Frankly after that second visit, I decided against CZ*** although a sister in my church uses it***

Now time was going and stuff so although I was not fully convinced, I was going to go for CA*** I met a family friend who worked there so she had gotten me more info and then used her influence to get me a doctor to speak to. She said the package would come to like 75k at least. One friday from work, in my 13th week, I decided to go there and register. Everything conspired to make me not get to that hospital that day. Lemme not go into details but Ah, I was pissed ooo. I mean, which first time mom-to-be doesn’t see a doctor all through first trimester??? I never even did a pregnancy test in the hospital ooo. Only PT strip ONCE. I wasn’t sick or anything so what if I wasn’t even pregnant lol? In the middle of all that I heard God tell me to chill. It will all work for my good. I chilled. Literally.

Then the Sunday that followed, I was walking outta the estate looking for a cab to go to church when this car stops beside me and asks to offer me a ride. It was a woman. Wow. Interestingly we were both going in the same way. She was very chatty and she was talking about Ebola and how we should not be scared but use our faith and stuff. I liked her. And her church. Then I noticed she was heavy. Since she was very friendly, I decided to ask about her pregnancy and her doctor. Ah, her response was incredible

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘…Are you pregnant? You don’t look pregnant ooo. Ah, lemme take you to my doctor. He’s very good and nice too. And not expensive at all. You can even stagger your payment if you want. When you are ready I’ll take you etc etc…” She mentioned the price but I didn’t believe I heard her well so I zero’d it.

Ah!!! Good sign. I didn’t even tell her about other hospitals I had checked out. Plus the hospital was very close to the estate. So we exchanged numbers. The week was really busy so it wasn’t until weekend I got a chance to holler at the doctor. His number kept diverting the call so I sent a text. In under an hour, he called me. I missed his call and then he replied the text giving me an appointment. Another good sign.

The next morning, I went to the hospital. Going by the price the girl mentioned if it was true, I thought the hospital would be a small one. Surprisingly, It was a big multi-disciplinary one and very neat. It didn’t smell like a hospital too hehehe. Another good sign.

The lady at the front desk was about to give me information but I told her I didn’t need it, I wanted to see the doctor simple and he was expecting me. So she called him and he asked me to come in.
I felt immediate peace as soon as I entered his office. The last thing this man mentioned was the amount. He was just telling me about what to expect per visit, asking and answering my questions, even encouraging me to ask, will be 10years an OnG consultant next year, First degree ABU Zaria, 2nd degree UK, and Doctorate ongoing in UAE (correspondence). Visiting Prof in an American University. Family man. Faith man (I was listening to stuff he was saying very closely). The man ticked all my boxes. He had a good sense of humor too. Then he took me on a tour of the hospital- wards, delivery room, CS room, laboratory, showed me the various equipments which were all digital and new sef, etc. He also told me what and what he didn’t have yet but was expecting. All this without my asking ooo. He was Ah-May-Zing!!! There was this hospital that had told me I’ll have an average of three scans inclusive in the antenatalpackage and any extra scan, I’ll have to pay. This doc said he’ll see me every two weeks and everytime he’ll do a USS (ultra sound scan). Antenatal days are Thursday but he said of course if need be, he does on other days. I asked him what happens when he travels and he said there are two more consultants who take his place till he returns. Moreover his phone is never out of reach. If he is busy or out of town, he re-routes all calls to other doctors on ground. I mean, my spirit was excited. He gisted me of his patients and how when he even steps out to malls and stuff, they would come up to him with their kids and even offer to pay, etc. You could tell he was a friendly one with a good rapport among his pregnant patients especially.

So finally, I asked for the price and I just expected something higher than my friend said. My people, the guy said 35k. My jaw dropped. Like with all I had seen, this was 35k!!!??? All the hospitals I had gone to were 75k to above 100k ooo (minus registration)and were offering less and wouldn’t even let me see a doctor without registration.

I say make I no rejoice until I come on thursday for my booking appointment (first antenatal). I was also just a bit concerned. All I had been doing for myself had been from pregnancy websites and apps esp BabyCentre and Whattoexpect. How to sleep, what to eat, drugs to take, all from apps. Haba!!! I was well past first trimester and I didn’t know what my urine, blood, etc would be like having never checked. Worse still, what if I wasn’t even pregnant lol?

Come Thursday, I turned up ooo at 7am fingers crossed. He had told me to not eat or drink from 10pm the night before.

I didn’t come with cash cos he said the POS worked but that morning it didn’t work and he was quick to tell the staff to still attend to me and I could bring the money later. They did all the tests, I went home to eat and returned at 10 for the general class and one-on-one with the doctor and scan. The general class was short as the midwife was drained. She said they had been monitoring this patient for three days and that morning, they opted for emergency CS. But in her tired state, she still had some cheer in her as she did the class. And answered questions. They they took our vitals and ended the general session

Finally, it was time to see the doctor and get my results. People of God, that’s how the man gave me a clean bill of health ooo. I was overjoyed. And grateful too. Then the best of it all… My very first USS!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I saw my baby and he was even moving at the time of scan. Somewhere in my head, if I saw twins, I would have been overjoyed too. I saw one though. It was surreal. I kept aww’ing and wow’ing. The doctor was patient in answering all my questions and a first time mom-to-be has plenty. And cos I had gotten quite some knowledge online, it was good to hear him corroborate them. He said it was too early to do a gender scan so we will have to wait till week 20 to get a more accurate result though me I’m speaking BOY. I mean, my first appointment was amazing and worth the wait.

Now I really don’t get why I can’t see a doctor BEFORE I register for antenatal. I don’t care what hospital policies are. I didn’t come in sick. I didn’t come in for treatment. This is somewhere I will be coming to for at least 7months so it makes sense that someone talks to me and tells me what to expect and what I’m paying for not just a Front desk who just gives you the amount and nothing else. Can’t answer any question all she says is ‘Register first’. That’s really really stupid. When I’m not a child. What if I register and I don’t like the hospital and/or doctor, my money go just enter voicemail? Absolute rubbish!!! Even if the doctor has to come to the front desk and explain it all to you, that’s better than just listening to a non-professional. Hiss!!! I’m grateful I didn’t settle for less.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Having a baby is such a beautiful thing. I certainly wanted to be going on this journey with the right set of people and with REAEB hospital, I sure am getting the BEST!!!

Hugs&Love

E’

PS
*** means not real names please. Can’t afford to name names na but the hospital I settled for, I used the real name abeg… Gotta promote ’em.

 

PPS

Peek my flats in that picture at the top? Choi!!! Have to go and buy more flats as that’s practically the only one I have. Presents anyone? *wink*